Wehrkamp boys show big promise in motocross

DARKE COUNTY – While most young boys are just learning to ride a bicycle, the Wehrkamp brothers were competing in amateur motocross racing. Dylan, age 8, and Kyle, age 6, have a passion for the sport and have brought home the hardware to prove it.

The brothers, who are students at Mississinawa Valley, both began riding dirt bikes at 4-years-old and are currently members of the Southern Ohio Motocross Series. Dylan, who races mainly locally, has won the title the past three years at the Treaty City Motorcycle Club racing event.

Kyle recently qualified to compete in the largest national motocross race in the world. The youngster will put his skills to the test July 28 through August 3 at the 33rd Annual Rocky Mountain ATV/MC AMA Motocross National Championship at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch in Hurricane Hills, Tenn.

Kyle took on over 20,000 other riders nationwide to earn one of the only 1,446 qualifying positions in the race that recently became part of the Red Bull Signature Series, which was aired on NBC live last year.

“The Amateur Nationals at Loretta Lynn’s is the event every motocross racer in the country wants to compete in,” said Event Director Tim Cotter. “A win gives a rider instant national notoriety and can serve as a springboard to a lucrative motocross career.”

Kyle will be racing on the same track as some of America’s top professional motocross riders, including James Stewart, Ricky Carmichael and Jeremy McGrath, who have all won the event.

The Wehrkamp brothers practice at least every weekend at their custom designed track located on their parents’ property near Union City, OH. The dirt track sits on approximately four acres of land and consists of some big turns and major jumps.

Ronnie Wehrkamp, the boys’ mother, told The Early Bird the brothers have very different styles in their racing. Dylan, she said, is the more conservative, consistent rider, while the younger Kyle is “all about the speed and taking risks.” Their dad, Jason Amspaugh, is also a former amateur motocross racer and helps out a lot with the boys’ young careers and the sport in general.

When asked if they plan to continue racing when they graduate high school, both Dylan and Kyle told The Early Bird “absolutely!”

The boys have sponsors such as KRW Cycles, Spy, Five Six O graphics, Braap Supply, Amspaugh Trucking and Kawy987/ebaystore.com who help in making their careers possible. Ronnie Wehrkamp did mention that as Kyle begins qualifying for more out-of-state races, additional sponsors would be greatly appreciated and help tremendously. She asked that if anyone is wanting more information or wants to sponsor in someway, to contact the family at 459-7861.

Dylan and Kyle will be racing locally on July 13 at the Treaty City Motorcycle Club off of State Route 571 West. The cost is $10 at the gate and children 12 and under are free. You can also see Kyle race for the national title live online at RacerTV.com during his big debut at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch.

Learn more about the Southern Ohio Motocross Series at www.oswmxs.com and log on to bluebagmedia.com to watch video of Kyle practicing at his home track.

(Dylan (left) and Kyle (right) Wehrkamp – Clinton Randall photo)

(#BluebagVideo of Kyle Wehrkamp practicing at the families custom track near UCO)